UP min tells flood victims ‘Ganga is touching your feet’; Woman replies, ‘Stay and take blessings’
Lucknow: Amid ongoing flood-like conditions and severe waterlogging in parts of Uttar Pradesh, particularly along the Ganga River, state Cabinet Minister Sanjay Nishad has drawn criticism for controversial remarks made during a visit to Kanpur Dehat.
In a video that surfaced on social media, Nishad is purportedly heard telling flood-affected villagers that they are “Ganga’s children” and thus, the “Ganga river reaches your doorstep to clean your feet and this would take you directly to heaven,” as reported by The Indian Express on Wednesday.
Nishad, assigned to oversee relief work in the district, made the comments as residents tried to voice concerns over the flooding and lack of adequate relief.
Also, a woman travelling along with the government team is purportedly heard trying to clarify the minister’s remarks to an elderly woman, who in turn asks her to stay there with them and “take the blessings of Ganga yourself.”
The minister’s remarks triggered widespread criticism online, with many calling them insensitive amid the ongoing crisis. Defending his statement, Nishad stated that he was only trying to offer emotional support. “Flooding is a natural calamity, and the government is doing everything it can to help people. We are giving food packets, cooked food as well, but one needs to highlight positive thoughts to them also, and that is what I did. We cannot stop water, and this is not a one-day or one-year problem,” TIE quoted Nishad as saying.
He added that instilling hope is essential, or else “the opposition will spread negativity.”
Incessant rainfall in Uttar Pradesh has led to floods in thirteen districts of the state. The Ganga River is reportedly flowing above the danger mark in Varanasi, Mirzapur, Ghazipur, and Ballia. Similarly, the Yamuna has crossed the red mark in Auraiya, Kalpi, Hamirpur, Prayagraj, and Banda.
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Right to vote under threat, must be made fundamental right: Cong's Jairam Ramesh
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleged on Thursday that the right to vote is under threat and the time has come when it should be made a fundamental right for citizens.
Speaking with reporters, Ramesh lashed out at Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, saying the Election Commission (EC) has never been as compromised as it has been under him.
"The rot started under his predecessor. This man is a player and not a neutral observer," the Congress leader said, slamming Kumar.
Kumar is completely compromised and has become a player in elections, he alleged.
"Home Minister Amit Shah had talked about three Ds -- detect, delete and deport. So we want to know how many non-Indian citizens have been detected, how many have been deleted and how many have been deported," Ramesh said, adding that the right to vote is now under threat.
On opposition parties submitting a fresh notice in the Rajya Sabha, seeking to move a motion for the CEC's removal, the Congress leader said they will continue to make efforts for Kumar's removal as he is "compromised".
Ramesh also batted for the right to vote to be recognised as a fundamental right.
"I believe that the time has come that the right to vote should be made a fundamental right. It is a statutory right, it is not a fundamental right. Fundamental rights are justiciable," he said.
The former Union minister said this was discussed in the Constituent Assembly, but it was eventually decided that it should be made part of the Constitution.
B R Ambedkar and Jagjivan Ram had warned that in the future, governments might try to disenfranchise voters, he added.
"Once and for all, include the right to vote as a fundamental right for Indian citizens," Ramesh asserted.
